Evidently a political omen of some kind, this return of the emigrants to Erin. What does it portend? Mr. M-rl-y, on being consulted, is "inclined to fancy that the Cork snake is a herald of Coercion, and shows that the venom of Dublin Castle will soon be at work." Mr. G. B-lf-r, on the other hand, says that "the return of general confidence at the advent of a Unionist Government, and a really capable Irish Secretary, has never been better exemplified. Even the reptiles are not afraid now to try Ireland as a place of residence!" And Mr. J-st-n M'C-rthy has no doubt at all that "the incident is another sign of the growing Irish spirit of disunion. Did not St. Patrick banish snakes from Ireland? And ought not snakes, if they are worthy of the name of patriots, to obey St. P., and stay away? Well, they are returning, and defying St. P.—just as R-dm-nd defies me! And," added the eminent leader, meditatively, "I've often thought there was a good deal of the eel about him, too."

"Peers are Cheap To-day."—From the North British Daily Mail:—

Bailie Wright, in supporting the motion, said that if he had the power he would make every man in that meeting a peer, so that they should go to the Lords and resolve upon their abolition.

Prodigious! But how is the Bailie going to proceed? Bring in a "Bill of Wright's" when he has got his new nobility ensconced in the Gilded Chamber? And suppose the Bailie's peers decline to commit suicide?

Air—"Waly, Waly."

OFF!

Mature Damsel (as they pass the Conservatory). "Dear me! What a delicious smell of"—(archly)—"Orange-blossoms!"

Little Mr. Tipkins (alarmed). "Oh, no—really—I assure you, nothing of the sort!"

[Bolts.

DELIGHTFUL DISCOVERIE.

(A Dialogue at the Service of the "I. G. C.")

Visitor. As I am a stranger in London, can you please tell me how to get to Holly Lodge?

Native. Make for Holloway, and you will get into its neighbourhood.

Visitor. Thanks, very much; and where is the Institute of the Painters in Water Colours?

Native. Why, in Piccadilly, of course; next door to St. James's Church.

Visitor. I am infinitely obliged to you; and now perhaps you will direct me to Carlton House Terrace, Kew Gardens, Greenwich, and the Docks?

Native. First, behind the Athenæum; and the others you can get to by train after consulting Bradshaw. But why this thirst for geographical knowledge?

Visitor. Because I am a member of the International Geographical Congress.

Native. Indeed! And what are you going to do at these places?

Visitor. I am going to be "entertained." In fact, my duty will be to see and be seen.

Native. And how about geographical research?

Visitor. That will be satisfied to a considerable extent by a hunt for sandwiches, and a quest for strawberries and cream!

THE AGE OF CULTURE.

["It is a good omen for the future of agriculture that the upper classes are beginning to take a practical interest in it."—A Morning Paper.]

Extracts from the "World," June, 1900.

Despite the unfavourable weather, Lady Tipton's garden-party on Wednesday was a great success. Strawberry-picking was the principal amusement, and some well-known performers were present. Miss De Mure, as usual, beat all her rivals, but the Bishop of Pulborough was only half-a-basket behind. Like most of her friends, Lady Tipton has now converted all her croquet and tennis lawns into fruit-beds.

Lord Grayson is entertaining a large party of friends for bird-scaring this week. Starlings are somewhat scarce this year, but sparrows are very plentiful and strong on the wing. Some capital sport was enjoyed over these well-known fields last week, and the host (who used a blunderbuss manufactured by Messrs. Murdey) is credited with having frightened away about 5000 brace in a single day.

Truth is quite wrong in stating that the Marquis of Coombe intends to sell his well-known potato-patch in Hammersmith. On the contrary, he has just laid down two dozen new plants. It is true, however, that several of the smartest people are growing onions instead of potatoes this year.

As the show-season will soon be with us again, it may be well to remark that the committees should make certain of the genuine character of the exhibits. It would be disgraceful were there to be any repetition of such a scandal as occurred last autumn at a leading exhibition, when it was discovered that the apples belonging to a certain lady of title, to which the prize already had been awarded, owed their brilliant appearance to the fact that her Grace had tinted them with water-colours.

The Inter-'Varsity ploughing competition takes place at Lord's on Friday. The Cambridge men are perhaps the favourites at present, but, though they have undoubtedly done some fast times, their furrows are apt to be very erratic. Still, under Farmer Hodge's able coaching, they may be expected to improve greatly in the next few days.

Some of the papers have been making merry over the attempts to start butter-making clubs among the poorer classes. It is true that butter-making has been considered hitherto almost exclusively a rich man's recreation; but I do not see why the hard-working labourer, who has been toiling at golf or polo all day, should not be allowed to amuse himself with this healthy pastime in the evening, just as much as his superiors in social station.

À propos of butter-making, I hear that a testimonial is to be presented to Mr. Aylesbury, who has now captained his county team for some years. Of his all-round skill it is needless to speak; he is a useful change churner, and he had far the highest patting average last season.

How to Spend a Happy Day!—Luncheon, dinner, and breakfast baskets provided for travellers by the Great Wheel at Earl's Court. Also all requisites for making up fairly comfortable beds in any one of the compartments. Address Wheel and Woa Co., E. C. S. W.

"MR. SPEAKER!"

"Hats off, strangers!"—Policemen passim.

Mr. Speaker Gully.

Now the new House of Commons is complete, and Members are preparing to meet for their